Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The fifth round of Iran-US talks ended after three and a half hours.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States has begun at the headquarters of the Sultanate of Oman's mission in Rome.
Turkish public prosecutor has issued arrest warrants for 63 active-duty military personnel over alleged links to a group accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt
Kremlin says no agreements yet on next platform for Russia-Ukraine negotiations
YAF spokesperson: We targeted Lydd Airport, known as Ben-Gurion Airport, with a hypersonic missile
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Two Israeli airstrikes targeted Wadi al-Aziziya in the Tyre district.
CIA spokesperson says law enforcement responded to a security incident outside CIA headquarters.
Brigadier General Saree: Operation achieved its targeted successfully, forcing millions of Zionists to flee to shelters, and halted air traffic at the airport.
YAF spokesperson: We've executed a military operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in occupied Yafa with ballistic hypersonic missile.
IOF warning forces residents to evacuate and head South in preparation for expansion of aggression.

Russia scaling back, not withdrawing from Syria: Sources to Reuters

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 14 Dec 2024 18:21
3 Min Read

Syrian military and security sources in contact with Russian counterparts say Moscow is withdrawing forces from forward positions and removing certain heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.

Listen
  • x
  • Russia scaling back but not withdrawing from Syria: Sources to Reuters
    This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on December 13, 2024, shows an Antonov An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at the Russian Hmeimim Air Base in Syria's western province of Latakia (Photo by Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies / AFP)

Russia is reducing its military presence on the front lines in northern Syria and from positions in the Alawite Mountains but is maintaining its two primary bases in the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reported, citing four Syrian officials.

The removal of al-Assad, who, along with his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, fostered a strong alliance with Moscow, has raised questions about the future of Russia's strategic bases: the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility.

Satellite imagery from Friday revealed at least two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes, among the largest in the world, at the Hmeimim airbase, with their nose cones open, seemingly being prepared for loading, the news agency highlighted.

It cited a Syrian security official stationed near the base as saying that at least one cargo plane departed for Libya on Saturday.

Syrian military and security sources in contact with Russian counterparts informed Reuters that Moscow is withdrawing forces from forward positions and removing certain heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.

However, these sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, emphasized that Russia is not abandoning its two principal bases and has no immediate plans to do so.

Related News

Kurdish leader warns centralization may divide Syria, spark civil war

Internal debate in US over Trump's sanctions relief vow for Syria: AP

Read more: Russia questions 'Israel's' territorial claims in Golan Heights

Russia contacting Syrian regime, seeks to keep bases: Report

Russia has established direct communication with the political committee of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group behind the recent insurgency that toppled al-Assad, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov revealed on Thursday, according to the Interfax news agency.

Bogdanov described the contacts with HTS as "constructive". He stated that Moscow's aim was to ensure that HTS fulfills its commitments to maintain order, prevent any "excesses", and guarantee the safety of diplomats and foreign nationals.

The deputy foreign minister also underscored Russia's determination to retain its military presence in Syria. The Tartous naval base and the Hmeimim Air Base, near Latakia, remain pivotal to Moscow's efforts against international terrorism, he said.

"The bases are still there, at the request of the Syrians, with the aim of combating terrorists from the Islamic State. No other decisions have been made at this time," Bogdanov noted.

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism, including remnants of ISIS, is far from over. "This fight requires collective efforts, and in this context, our presence, particularly at the Hmeimim base, has played a critical role in combating international terrorism," he added.

Read more: Fidan claims Turkiye convinced Russia, Iran not to act in Syria

  • Syria
  • Hmeimem
  • Tartous
  • Russia
  • Latakia
  • Hmeimim Airbase

Most Read

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben-Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

  • MENA
  • 18 May 2025
Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

  • MENA
  • 17 May 2025
Rachel Accurso criticized for speaking out on Gaza children crisis

Ms. Rachel accused of antisemitism for speaking out for Gaza children

  • Politics
  • 20 May 2025
Martyrs, injuries in violent Israeli bombardment of southern Gaza

Israeli operation fails; IOF launch violent strikes on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 19 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
The sun sets over Nuuk, Greenland, Monday, July. 31, 2017.
Environment

Greenland’s moon rock mine: Europe wins, US watches

A US B-1B Lancer landing after a Bomber Task Force mission at Naval Station Diego Garcia last year (US Air Force/AP)
Asia Pacific

UK retains US base access as Chagos sovereignty transfers to Mauritius

A coworking office space in Meridian, Idaho, Thursday, April 18, 2024 (AP)
Technology

US plans data portal to expand warrantless surveillance: The Intercept

'Israel' releases Gaza detainees after months of starvation, torture
Palestine

Released Gaza detainees report abuse, starvation in Israeli prisons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS